Water/Wastewater Operator 1

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Date: May 5, 2026

Location: Yuma, AZ, US

Company: NW Natural

Water/Wastewater Operator 1 

Non-Union Position
WTR-Operations Staff-Foothills 2; Yuma, Arizona (US-AZ)  
Regular FT, Non-Exempt
Posting # 5527  

 

About Us:

 

NW Natural Water owns and operates water and wastewater utilities in communities throughout Texas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Since 2018, we have acquired more than 30 utilities and today serve more than 190,000 people via 76,000 connections.

 

Our parent company, NW Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 165 years. The company operates through NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), SiEnergy Operating (SiEnergy), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), and other business interests, serving a combined population of over 2.6 million people.

 

NW Natural Holdings' Texas operations are some of the fastest growing utilities in the nation, where our focus is on supporting developers by providing essential services to new communities. Our highly driven out-of-the-box thinkers are motivated to meet developer/builder timelines and requirements and pride themselves on partnerships with the developers, builders, and communities we serve.

 

The Role:

 

Under close supervision, this job classification performs a variety of skilled work tasks in the operation, maintenance and repair of the Foothills Utilities water or wastewater infrastructure systems under immediate direction of experienced Water/Wastewater Systems Technician I, II, III or supervisory personnel.

Day to Day:

 

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  • Under immediate supervision of experienced operations personnel performs basic inspection, maintenance and repairs of water transmission/distribution or wastewater collection systems (Water Systems).
  • Performs work in compliance with State and Federal environmental and water quality laws and regulations, and Foothills Utilities policies and standards; duties will vary according to job assignment and skill level.
  • Follows all safety rules and regulations, sets up work zone and all equipment in safe operating conditions; notifies supervisor of maintenance and repair issues; reports unsafe conditions, accidents, injuries, security issues and illegal activities.
  • Assists with the operation of assigned crews and vehicles to maintain day to day operations to conduct basic installations, trouble shooting and repairs; assists with walk-through inspections.
  • Performs inspection and maintenance of equipment and components in the operation of the water or wastewater systems infrastructure; performs work in accordance with all quality standards.
  • Operates a variety of hand tools and mechanized equipment; may operate heavy equipment; utilizes work orders, log sheets, and electronic recording equipment; records data on spreadsheets. 
  • Assists senior level operators to resolve operational problems; cleans and maintains vehicles, tools and equipment; performs maintenance as directed.
  • Work is performed at sites with moderate physical demands, requiring the ability to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds. The role may involve exposure to safety hazards, including extreme weather conditions (heat and cold), hazardous gases and chemicals, biological hazards, confined spaces, and potentially dangerous tools and equipment.
  • Supports the relationship between Foothills Utilities and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and Foothills Utilities staff. 
  • As a business necessity and safety related concerns, the applicant must be able to speak English proficiently to communicate with customers and understand safety related construction issues.
  • Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and Foothills Utilities information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Come on your first day with:

 

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

 

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent; AND one year of plumbing and/or construction experience in the water or wastewater field; and the ability to demonstrate basic knowledge of the principles involved in the operation of water or wastewater systems.   

 

Knowledge of:

 

  • Foothills Utilities policies and procedures.
  • Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the operation of water or wastewater systems.
  • State and Federal laws and regulations governing water or wastewater systems and emergency response.
  • Safe work practices and occupational hazards.

 

Water

 

  • Basic operational practices and principles of water transmission and distribution systems operations with some knowledge of installations, troubleshooting, and repairs. OSHA guidelines related to water transmission/distribution system operations.
  • Arizona 811 specifications and guidelines.
  • Microsoft Windows Office products.

 

Wastewater

 

  • Basic operational practices and principles of wastewater collection systems operations with some knowledge of troubleshooting and repairs.
  • Vacuum jet cleaning operations.
  • Assisted with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) inspections.
  • OSHA guidelines related to wastewater system operations.
  • Arizona 811 specifications and guidelines.
  • Microsoft Windows Office products.

 

Skill in:

 

  • Using and maintaining tools and equipment to perform maintenance and repair work.
  • Following safe work practices, and verbal and written instructions.
  • Performing basic Water Systems maintenance activities. Identifying unsafe conditions and mechanical problems.
  • Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
  • Operating a personal computer utilizing standard software.
  • Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

License and Certification Requirements:

 

  • A valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required. 
  • Wastewater Systems require a valid Class A or B CDL w/Tanker Endorsement Arizona State Commercial Driver's license (CDL) within 12 months.
  • Water Systems require a valid Class A CDL w/Tanker Endorsement Arizona State Commercial Driver's license (CDL) within 12 months. 
  • After one year of employment, you may be recommended by your supervisor to pursue a Commercial Driver's License at the company's expense.
  • Must possess a Grade I Operator Certification from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) in either the discipline of Water Distribution or Wastewater Collection, depending on area of assignment; or have the equivalent certification from another state with the ability to obtain Arizona Grade I Operator Certification through Foothills Utilities within 60 days of hire.
  • Additional Certifications in Water and Wastewater will be required as part of this position, and constant professional growth achieving increased levels in certification is expected. The first certification is REQUIRED within the first year. Failure to achieve certification will result in termination. Certifications may be reviewed here: https://azdeq.gov/operator-certification
  • Must complete the guidelines established within the Utilities Department Operator-in-Training Program to promote to the next Skills Block (Technician II).

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

 

  • Work is performed on location at Foothills Utilities water or wastewater facilities and infrastructure 

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

 

  • This position requires participation in a rotating on-call schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Candidates must be available to respond to emergency and time-sensitive situations outside of regular working hours, often with short notice.

What we offer:


Health & Wellness –

  • Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
  • Free access to an online wellness resources platform 

 

Work Life Balance -

  • Start at 20 Vacation Days 
  • 80 Hours of Sick Time 
  • 13 paid holidays
  • 3 weeks paid parental leave

 

Financial -

  • Competitive 401K company contribution and match 
  • 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
  • Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement  

  

Hourly Range: $22.62 - $32.69 (Level 1) per hour, depending on qualifications 
 

Application Process: To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website.

https://www.careers.nwnatural.com/nwnaturalwater

 

Deadline: 5/19/26

 

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural Water participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

 

E-Verify Information
NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

 

All applications must be submitted through NW Natural Water’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.

 

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.  

 

NW Natural Water does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural Water valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural Water HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural Water. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural Water as a result of the referral or through other means.


Nearest Major Market: Yuma

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